By Connor Adams Sheets
Sgt. Michael Elderbaum and Police Officer Brian McCloskey shared the April Officer of the Month Award at the 109th Precinct Community Council’s May meeting for their joint arrest of three people allegedly involved in a drug transaction in Flushing.
The two officers were honored for the arrest of Miguel Perez and Stefanny Paredes on charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal sale of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a stolen weapon and of an unidentified male for criminal possession of a controlled substance.
The three suspects were arrested at 5:30 p.m. April 20 after Perez and Paredes pulled their car next to an unnamed male’s vehicle at an intersection in Flushing and allegedly sold him crack cocaine, according to police.
The officers pulled the vehicles over and arrested the purchaser first, then collared Perez and Paredes, police said. After bringing Perez and Paredes’ car to the 109th Precinct, the officers said they detected the smell of cocaine in the car and brought K-9 Unit “Ranger” to sniff the car for drugs. The dog allegedly smelled drugs so Elderbaum and McCloskey searched the car, finding 40 grams of crack cocaine and a stolen 45 mm handgun, according to police.
The officers were congratulated at the precinct’s May community council meeting, and each received glass awards for their hard work.
Isaac Sasson, a longtime community leader in Flushing, donated $5,000 to the community council during the meeting.
“Without people who generously give as Isaac does — this is his second time giving — the community council doesn’t get funded,” the council’s president, Chrissy Voskerichian, said.
Reach reporter Connor Adams Sheets by e-mail at csheets@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
